Melding the delights of a metropolitan life with the comforts of suburban lifestyle, Long Island serves as an oasis for the urban elite, as well as a home to many diverse cultural communities. Surrounding natural wonders, with a focus on water activities such as boating and fishing, coupled with the many parks, golf courses, equestrian and recreation facilities offer Long Islanders a healthy balance of urban and countryside living.
From the lavish estates of the Hamptons and the North Shore to the many historic communities dotted across the island, the Long Island way of life is a respite from the urban frenzy of nearby New York City, but not too distant that the influences of “The City” are lost.
Long Island, once considered an aviation center, has diversified its local economy and steadily grown with the introduction of many new industries, such as technology, scientific research and engineering.
Long Island is divided into two counties, Nassau to the West and Suffolk to the East. Nassau County, with its close proximity to New York City is denser. Encompassing the towns of North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, and part of Huntington, the North Shore area consists of a series of quaint villages and hamlets along the Long Island Sound. Its close proximity and excellent infrastructure make commuting into Manhattan, or further east on Long Island, easy and convenient.
The South Shore, which borders the Atlantic Ocean, is home to some of the finest beaches in the United States, with nearly 120 miles of coastline. The town of Hempstead in Nassau County has many small communities bordering the ocean, making the South Shore a true boater’s paradise. The South Shore of Nassau County is both culturally and economically diverse.
Suffolk County, excluding the Hamptons and North Fork, offers a contrasting landscape of residential, rural and industrial. Suffolk’s North Shore is home to many agricultural businesses including farms, stables and the burgeoning Long Island Wine region. Suffolk County is also known for its vibrant industrial area. The Hauppauge Industrial Park now employees over 55,000 workers at more than 1,300 companies. It is also home to many technology and scientific research facilities.
